HEPATITIS-G VIRUS-INFECTION AFTER BLOOD-TRANSFUSION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LIVER-DISEASE TREATED SURGICALLY FOR HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

To study the frequency of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection after bloo d transfusion, we retrospectively examined serum samples obtained from 53 patients who received blood transfusion before, during and after r esection of hepatocellular carcinoma. Whole blood or separated blood p roducts (fresh frozen plasma, platelet and/or red blood cells) were ad ministered to these patients. The total amount of fresh frozen plasma ranged from 10-248 U (median 38). A total of 15-80 U (median 40) of pl atelets were administered to 42 patients. Similarly, 1-15 U (median 4) of red blood cells were transfused into 22 patients. HGV RNA was extr acted and detected by reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain re action using 5' noncoding region primers. At 1 month after transfusion , seven patients (13.2%) became positive for HGV RNA. Patients who acq uired HGV were not different from those who did not with regard to cli nical condition, the amount of blood transfusion: age, sex, co-infecti on with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV). Only one o f the seven patients who was negative for HCV RNA and HBs antigen show ed a flare up of alanine aminotransferase (ALT). In five of the patien ts. the virus persisted in the serum up to 2 years after transfusion. Our findings suggest that the incidence of HGV transmission by blood p roducts is relatively high (13.2%) and that the disease, once acquired , is likely to become chronic. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.